After years of lobbying with the port authorities about the its management of waterside operations at the Port of Durban, MSC chairman Salvatore Sarno feels he has achieved his ends, and is moving his work gambit from operations to marketing. At the same time, he is moving into a commuter role between Durban and Johannesburg to better fulfil his marketing task in what he described as “the heart of SA” and where the bulk of his line’s clients are located. “I enjoyed Johannesburg for three years when I first came to SA,” Sarno added. “I’m now back in the arena, and will enjoy meeting with many old clients of mine.” He also expressed satisfaction at the efforts to sort out the problems at the Port of Durban. “The Port of Durban is going into a new era,” Sarno told FTW. “Everything has become better. Our ships, for example, are now berthed on arrival. “After a year of discussion, and a change of port management, we now have the infrastructure that is required.” He suggested that productivity at the port had improved. “And, with seven new ship-to-shore STS) cranes due for the North Pier, and two new cranes on the East Quay, the productivity will increase even further.” According to Sarno, this sorted out the East Quay, where the old-generation cranes created a permanent productivity problem. “All these are now working well,” he said, “and this allows me to move to marketing with an easy mind.” Sarno also feels that new Transnet CEO, Brian Molefe, understands the needs of the ports and that he acts promptly when matters are raised which need to be sorted out. He also expressed his support for Karl Socikwa, CEO of Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), and indeed all the management and technicians at the port. “All the management is OK, and the situation at the port is OK, so I can now move from Durban and concentrate on marketing in Johannesburg full time,” he said.
